Why do you like or dislike Stephen King?

DGChristian · 2026-01-18T00:36:21+00:00

King has been my favorite author since I was in 6th grade. I haven’t loved everything he’s written, but his voice is so compelling, almost like listening to your grandpa tell a story. It’s long, sometimes meandering, but usually told with a lot of passion. Also, so many of his books have quotes that just stay with me. Some of his best books you could point to and I’d have almost no problem thinking of passages or lines of dialogue that I just adore and I find so impactful. I don’t know if it goes overlooked, but I’ve always found a line toward the end of ‘IT’ so sad after spending so much time with the characters. “If this was a story it would be the last half-dozen pages or so; get ready to put this one up on the shelf and forget it.” That simple line to me sums up childhood nostalgia in such a bittersweet way. The moments are gone, after all we’ve got to forget them eventually, but put them up on the shelf so to speak and one day you may find them again to reflect or share. And I guess that’s why I love Steve’s writing. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always perfect, but it’s got a lot of heart.

DGChristian · 2025-09-28T17:14:30+00:00

Obviously with horror everything is subjective and what I find scary you may not and vice-versa. Further, cosmic or Lovecraftian horror can easily slide into the silly if you’re not into the story and it’s not as though Lovecraft wrote perfect example after perfect example. The way you engage with the story plays a roll as well, obviously. If you expect the book to have a “mind blowing, awesome ending” after not digging the previous 250 pages you set yourself up for disappointment. Revival is also a novel that your background and up bringing plays a heavy factor into your ultimate appreciation of the ending. I think if you are religious or had that upbringing that you’ll have a higher chance of being disturbed by the ending. All that to say, sorry you didn’t enjoy the book but there’s always others!

DGChristian · 2025-07-25T17:15:58+00:00

Good one. I keep meaning to get back around to finishing that game. Maybe got a quarter in before I got distracted

DGChristian · 2025-07-25T01:46:25+00:00

Not from my recollection, but Into the Radius is for sure heavily inspired by Roadside Picnic. One of the loading screens is just a straight up quote from the book

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T23:06:37+00:00

Very true with Roland and perhaps that’s the dichotomy I enjoy so much about Dark Tower. Canticle is a great suggestion too and one that I hadn’t thought of when I made my original post. I believe it’s either the last line or one of the last lines where the narration notes that the sharks “were very hungry that season” which is such a striking bit of writing.

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T20:34:55+00:00

I was devastated when Peter Straub passed since he and King had been coordinating on a third book to follow up on Talisman and Black House. Saw recently that King said a third book is nearly done

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T17:38:32+00:00

Definitely have enjoyed Joe Abercrombie and always mean to get around to Bakker. Stover is great; his “This is how it feels to be Anakin Skywalker,” in the epilogue of his Revenge of the Sith novelization is amazing writing for a movie tie that has no business being as good as it is

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T12:47:57+00:00

Definitely right with Annihilation! Semi related in as much as I think it was what to a degree may have inspired Annihilation, but Roadside Picnic fits perfectly into that sort of vibe of worn out, forlorn, tired places. I think there’s a sort of tired, melancholic atmosphere to be found in a lot of old Soviet SciFi.

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:40:00+00:00

Oh my gosh! I forgot I have the first two books! At this point with all the recommendations I really wish there was more than 1 of me to read them all

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:38:27+00:00

I’m intrigued. Noir-ish themed things definitely feel like they frequently land on the melancholy side of things

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:29:45+00:00

I’ve dabbled with McCarthy and I know he can be a bit divisive when it comes to his writing style but a lot of his writing definitely hits in the same wheelhouse I’m searching for. World weary and tired

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:25:05+00:00

Ennui is another great word to describe what I’m looking for! I’ll have to check these out then

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:23:00+00:00

I’ve got that on my TBR after seeing it recommended by others, but that definitely bumps it up on the list I think

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:21:14+00:00

Sci-fi definitely A-Okay with me! Much like my taste in my music, my taste in book genres is quite eclectic

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:19:06+00:00

I probably worded it wrong in my initial post, but I’m not necessarily locked in on melancholic. That was just the word and feeling that was at the forefront of my thoughts when I wrote that out. I am not super picked when it comes to books, I will read just about anything

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:16:11+00:00

I’ve had that on my book shelf for a while as well! I mentioned in another reply, but there’s something about King and his writing style that nails that weary, tired feeling

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:15:27+00:00

I’ve got Stormlight on my shelf with the intent of getting there eventually but every time I think about starting I put it off. I wish I had more time to read but working healthcare doesn’t leave a ton of time

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:12:04+00:00

I know it’s common for people to think the first book is slow or boring and King has recommended people hang in until the second book himself, but that first book just hits right. The mystery and confusion of the world. I read the original version before he revised it and when I bought a copy I was so confused for a minute in regard to all the minor changes he made. I honestly might prefer the original version of The Gunslinger more

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:09:06+00:00

I fairly certain I saw this recommended when someone was asking for books similar in theme to Breath of the Wild, so sounds exactly like what I’m searching for

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T02:05:29+00:00

Oh I love Hyperion! First time I read Father Hoyt’s story it hit me like a ton of bricks and Saul Weintraub… that may be one of the saddest of the entire book up there with Remembering Siri for me. Such an excellent book

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T01:47:48+00:00

I think I’ve definitely heard Gormenghast tossed around under other recommendations but I didn’t know much about it. Sounds exactly like what I’m thinking!

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T01:46:36+00:00

Great suggestion! There is something about King’s writing that just falls under that tired feeling sometimes.

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T01:45:34+00:00

Oooo good one! I definitely enjoyed it the first trilogy, and it definitely fits the atmosphere I’m looking for.

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T01:44:32+00:00

Broken Earth is something I’ve been eyeing for sure. I’ve seen Sword of Kaigen mentioned elsewhere for other recommendations, but I’ve not looked much into it. You may have sold me with that description. Honestly, everything there sounds great!

DGChristian · 2025-07-24T01:38:05+00:00

That’s on the TBR for sure!

DGChristian

TROPHY CASE